36

Every morning when I glance at my planner, I see a number. Today the number is 36, tomorrow it will be 35. On May 1 it will be 32. I am sure by now you noticed it's a countdown. On somedays I am very thankful for this and other times it saddens me. Today, I have mixed feelings. I am so excited to go home, but I realize that my time with the girls, my friends, and coworkers is coming to an end. 


This year has brought many smiles and tears. Many memories make my heart smile, and others still make it hurt a little. There is always a beginning and an end. Such is life!!! I have learned so much from those God has placed in my life this year. From my room mates, students, and coworkers all alike. I would like to personally thank each one of you, but that would take too long. Please know you are loved and will be missed. Each of you hold a dear spot in my hearts and have played a role in the many lessons God has taught me this year.


To say the least… God has taught me the following: 
-He is faithful 
-How to live by faith
-Humility: helping me realize I need to apologize and ask forgiveness. 
-Selflessness: to put others needs before my own
-Grin and bear it- to smile even when it hurts or I don't feel like it. 
-Testimony: my daily, boring life is a testimony.
-Prayer: Many situations have caused me to run to the Lord in prayer. God has used this to teach me that even when I didn't know what to say, He knows my heart. 


But above all I still come back to faith. When my faith is weak, My God is and will always remain faithful. God was faithful and taught me so much this year. 


I am sure all of these lessons were just PART 1 out of a LIFE TIME SERIES. He used so many different avenues to do so. Therefore, this year has been an adventure. One that is passing by quickly and I can gladly say with "no complaints". I am not saying it has been easy and that I have loved everyone moment of it or that I couldn't have done better.   But this year has been one that has taught me so much and if it wasn't for those lessons I would arrive home the same person I was when I left. “It's so hard to forget pain, but it's even harder to remember sweetness. We have no scar to show for happiness. We learn so little from peace." 


So thank you for investing in my life! 

a little adventure teaches much

For all of you reading this you know I am all about the random spontaneous adventures. Well, last night after dinner, my roommate Katie and I wanted something sweet- in particular ICE CREAM. I asked around… but we didn't have much luck, so when your desperate you will take desperate measures. We searched for 2 bikes with every intention of going to the restaurant in the village for desert. 

Once we found two bikes we were on our way. Well, half way there I realized its Monday and the restaurant is closed, so we continue with hopes that the sweet shop, bakery, or a store were open. Deep down I knew they weren't because it was already 7pm and everything closes mad early here. 

So, as we were heading back to campus with our dreams of ice cream crushed we met up with the 2 Dan's. They had helped us on campus find 2 bikes before the left to go on a nice little bike ride themselves. [and if you are reading this…"Thanks again guys!!"] Well, we shared with them our hopes of ice cream and one of them mentioned about going to Megan's house. We discussed it a little because we knew we were chancing it by even going, but also going uninvited. 

When we stopped in front of her gate outside her house we tried yelling her name, calling her cell, and when we thought all hope was lost, she walked outside. As she was in the mist of laughing she said, "What are you guys up too?" We tried to nonchalantly mention we wanted ice cream. Low and behold Megan had ice cream. She did tell us it was sugar free, but with enough toppings you couldn't taste a difference. 

When she opened the gate, we sat outside on her picnic table and had a great time of fellowship. Once it got dark we headed inside to wash the dishes, which led to coffee, and sitting around talking, lots of laughing, and a very special, secret, sort of exclusive contract.  It was a great night. Just what my soul needed, and extra dose of laughter and friendship. 

I say all this because last night I realized something. Something I have always known and even witnessed many times before. But what an awesome picture of the Body of Christ. I love living so closely and ministering along side of such Godly people who selflessly sacrifice of their time, food, and agenda, and so much more. God has truly blessed me with having many families all around the world. I can think of many people who have done things just like this for me.  Big or small…they touch my heart in a special way that just lets me know that I am loved. 

Just a special little shout out:

-Thank you to Megan for opening your home and sharing your food with all of us, but especially thank you for your friendship and your Godly example to us.

-Thank you Daniel Robert Koontz and Dan Vanderkooi for helping us find bikes, and for sharing many laughs with us. 

-Thank you Katie for desiring ice cream and being willing to go on a little adventure with me. 

I love you all and I am very blessed to have you in my life. Did I communicated well in this post?   :D

Czech Spring Break Trip 2011

Here are a few pictures I promised from my Spring Break trip to the Czech Republic. I hope you enjoy! To see more feel free to go to my Facebook page.

The next few pictures are of the ministry we had teaching English:

Sight Seeing in Brno:

We also got to attend a special Bible Club meeting in which we went bowling:

We went to see the caves as well. Beautiful place and a wonderful time of fellowship with many laughs:

My favorite part of the trip: Prague!!!

We had a wonderful time encouraging and ministering along side the staff in the Czech. The fellowship and sightsee was awesome as well. Thank you for your prayers for this Spring Break. God sure answered them.

Once again God has proven Himself faithful...

I am very sorry it has been pretty close to 2 weeks since I last posted. I have had lots of things going on. It is said that these last two months will be a blur- very busy. Here in Hungary, the Bible Institute, is empty. The students are on spring break. This means the campus is a little more relaxed and quiet. 

This past week I was in the Czech Republic ministering with the Word of Life team. We promoted their summer camps in school through teaching English. We also helped out around the property. The boys worked outside and the girls cleaned inside. It was hard work, but very rewarding. We were able to go to the caves, and also visit Prague. Which I must say is the most beautiful place I have ever been!

Students return from break on Sunday. It is hard to believe that then we will only have 6 more weeks until graduation. My time here sure has gone by fast. It feels like just yesterday I boarded the plane to begin this adventure. These next few weeks are filled with fellowships, the Mission's Reality team, Soccer Marathon, Class trip, Ladies Conference and then comes the long awaited Graduation day and the dreadful goodbyes. 

Many things have taken place this year. Things I could control and other things I had to learn to let go of. Situations that grew my faith and other situations tested it. I have seen God provide like His Word promises. I have seen Him answer my prayers just like His Word says He will. Once again God has proven Himself faithful. 

Thank you again for your prayers and support. I look forward to seeing each one of you face to face! I will also be posting a blog post to with pictures of my time in the Czech! So keep looking for those.